Vehicles Question

[Casey Ryback]

Ok, so I want to try and implement Vehicles to grab alot of stuff north of the map and transfer it back 2-4 kilometres south.

My main concern with vehicles is that you need massive stations for both trucks and trains to transfer a SINGLE resource. I don't mind building a massive looping train network, but I do not want to build 10 stations to bring various resources back south, why cannot my one train carry 6-7 slots of different resources on each loop? Then maybe use a smart splitter to unload the inventory into respective storage containers (which will then conveyor belt to various areas of my factory).

I have just unlocked all of Tier 7, will be starting on Tier 8 soon, so I almost have everything available.

Questions:

1) What is the best type of vehicular transport that you recommend?
2) If doing trains, should I build everything (including stations/terminals) very high up on the air? Do I just use pillars under architecture (bought from the Awesome shop) to build narrow but tall posts to place the tracks?
3) I have struggled to build long hypertubes, train lines etc high in the air, is the Jet Pack useful for this? I have not constructed it yet (just unlocked it yesterday).


Thanks all in advanced.

[Maehlice]

Trucks can carry more than one resource type, and you can smart split the load to sort it all out.

Trains by default can carry multiple homogenous resources.

Each train can pull a theoretically infinite number of cars.

Each car docks to its own specific platform.

Each platform is (un)loaded by two unique belts.

So, by default, a train can carry a separate car full of iron ore, a separate car full of copper ore, a separate car full of ... etcetera etcetera.

---

1. Trains are the best for carrying multiple types of items.

2. Only if you want to. I prefer to build everything "organically" to follow the terrain. (It also makes for a more scenic trip.)

3. The jet pack is best-suited for off-grid mobility (exploration). For building, you want the Hover Pack.\

[Suzaku]

You don't want to mix materials in a single car, but a train can have a car or two designated for each resource you plan to move. Build your stations accordingly, and you can set up a single train to move a large amount of various resources without mixing belts.

[Casey Ryback]

Originally posted by Maehlice:

Trucks can carry more than one resource type, and you can smart split the load to sort it all out.

Trains by default can carry multiple homogenous resources.

Each train can pull a theoretically infinite number of cars.

Each car docks to its own specific platform.

Each platform is (un)loaded by two unique belts.

So, by default, a train can carry a separate car full of iron ore, a separate car full of copper ore, a separate car full of ... etcetera etcetera.

---

1. Trains are the best for carrying multiple types of items.

2. Only if you want to. I prefer to build everything "organically" to follow the terrain. (It also makes for a more scenic trip.)

3. The jet pack is best-suited for off-grid mobility (exploration). For building, you want the Hover Pack.\

Thanks for the info and tips. A train closer to the ground would definitely feel much better. Can they climb mountains well though?

[Tenzek]

1) At that distance, you should use a train. You can split up the different item types by making a freight car for each one. There won't be a need for a sorting system at the end that way, and you will have less worry about one item backing up interfering with another item.

2) You don't need to support your foundations except to place the first one at the height you want. You can delete the supports after. If your goal is aesthetics, then your suggestion works just fine.

3) Build a ladder up the initial stack of foundations to reach the top and you don't need to be able to fly.

To change directions in the air, place a catwalk segment at the edge of the last foundation you've placed. Off of that catwalk, you can preview a second segment and control + mouse wheel to rotate it ten degrees at a time instead of the normal 90. Build your next foundation off of that second catwalk at the angle you desire.

[Tenzek]

Originally posted by Casey Ryback:

Thanks for the info and tips. A train closer to the ground would definitely feel much better. Can they climb mountains well though?

Try not to make the climb too steep if you can, but with 1 locomotive engine to 4 freight cars, it can handle most terrain.

If you prefer building on the ground, then it would be helpful to at least build some ramps to make steep hills more gradual.

[Casey Ryback]

Thanks Tenzek. That's really helpful. I tried building a train network (just one resource to start with) taking stuff from north to south of the map (where my base is). The train took off from the south, but when I went to check on it, it was "stuck" at the north station saying "Cannot reach other station" or something, I think because some of my track went underwater.

I tried to destroy it all to retry but the stuck train, freight car and station will not deconstruct not matter what I do....arrrgghh.

[Oneironaut]

If your track is a straight line, trains will need to turn around to be able to access a station. The front of a train needs to be first into a station for it to work otherwise you get those unable to reach station errors. Alternately you can also have a train with one locomotive on each side so that it can move in either direction which also solves that problem.

[Tenzek]

You probably need a loop for the train to turn around. I've never experienced a problem where I can't delete a car or station, though.

Before sending a train along the track, try driving it yourself to make sure there are no simple problems.

[Dragorin]

Trains are all well and good but Drones are my preferred way to transport long distance. They are just easier to plop down anywhere without having to build roads or rail to a location first.

Once I had batteries going I was able to setup things like a factory making Aluminum Ingots that supplied enough for two drone ports which in turn could support two drone each depending on transport distance.

I built factory lines supplied totally by drones to produce the final 3 space elevator parts. One drone port supplying batteries and then one port for each component needed for a space elevator part. Some of those parts where in turn built by factory lines supplied by drones.

63 drone ports were being supplied batteries from one factory line making batteries from 5 blenders and a 2nd line making batteries with an Alt recipe from two manufactures. So it doesn't take a very big battery production factory to support a lot of drones.

Everyone has there preferred method, you should play with them all to see which one fits your playstyle the best.